Very nice Pat, all look very good and sharp. I have a problem with black dogs as well from time to time, I find shooting when overcast or partly cloudy is much easier on a black dog than full sun. Often I have to shoot wide open to properly light the dog instead of making them a shadow since they are already dark but then blow something else in the photo out. Your photos look good, doesn't look to be full sun there. You can see some of my black dog shots here http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showth...day&highlight= overcast/partly cloudy day.
Photographing a puppy can be tough, I've tried. They never stop lol